This invention is a compact, single-shot optical imaging technology that captures complete two-dimensional phase gradient information from transparent or weakly scattering samples in real time. By integrating a specially engineered metasurface into the imaging setup, the system separates and detects both horizontal and vertical phase gradient components simultaneously, something current systems cannot do without multiple images or moving parts. The ability to recover full phase data instantly from a single frame makes this technology well-suited for environments where speed, stability, and precision are critical. It is particularly valuable for high-throughput inspection, biomedical diagnostics, and applications where traditional methods fail due to mechanical complexity or delays. The platform is model-free and does not require machine learning or algorithmic training, offering dependable and reproducible performance. Background: Traditional quantitative phase imaging systems rely on sequential measurements or mechanical rotation of optical elements to obtain complete two-dimensional phase information. Current 1D differential metasurfaces only perform spatial differentiation along one axis; to recover full 2D phase information, the device must be rotated 90° degrees and re-capture the optical field to obtain the orthogonal gradient. These methods are slow, sensitive to movement, and difficult to miniaturize. This creates significant limitations in dynamic environments such as live biological imaging or industrial inspection lines. The novel technology addresses these limitations with a metasurface that spatially separates both gradient directions in one acquisition, reducing error sources, complexity, and processing time. Applications:
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